More issues with XP and upgrades

  • Thread starter Thread starter Meredith
  • Start date Start date
M

Meredith

I downloaded XP SP3 last night. It is a huge file. I tried to install this
morning and the message received is that the file is not a valid Win32
application.

What does this mean. The upgrade is not suited to my system? Or is there
another SP3 that is Win32 based.

I also get to the blue csreen where I don't have an A drive or any
information on floppy disks to install. Nor should I lose access to CD rom
when I wanted to install XP setup from a CD. SO rebooted again with no setup
and just tried to install from My Computer.

Very confusing for the ordinary person.

Hope someone can give me an idea what to do now.

Many thanks

Meredith
 
Hello JS,

Thanks for your prompt reply

Yes it is from that website link. The Creator gave it to me and suggested I
downloaded from there. So I have pushed the download button. I dind't choose
anything in particular.

Can you see further down the questions and you will see my thread on general
computer problems. You will catch up with all the things I have going wrong
at the moment. And all the suggestions people have made for me to try.

Thanks for your interest.

Meredith
 
It's possible that file you downloaded is corrupt, so create a folder on
your drive and download the SP3 file to that folder.
Also how fast is your Internet connection speed (Dial Up, DSL, Cable, FIOS)?
Below you will find some things to do in preparation before installing SP3:

1) Create an"Image Backup" of my drive prior
to installing SP3 just in case you do have problems.
Don't have any Image Backup software:
Try "True Image" (has a 15 day trial version available)
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Overview
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...ad-bc34-40be-8d85-6bb4f56f5110&displaylang=en
Be sure to download and read the file titled 'Overview of Windows XP Service
Pack 3'
Note: "You can run the SP3 update package on any edition of Windows XP SP1
or SP2."

The hard disk space requirements for Windows XP Service Pack 3
Discusses the hard disk space requirements for installing Windows XP Service
Pack 3 (SP3)
(For a PC on which Windows XP is already installed)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947311/en-us

Installing Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3)
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsxp/cc164204.aspx

Release notes for the Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936929/en-us

List of fixes that are included in Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946480/

Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
Recommends steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3.
Also includes troubleshooting information.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717/en-us

Internet Explorer: (From Shenan Stanley MS MVP)
"If you have installed Windows Internet Explorer® 7 or a beta version of
Internet Explorer 8, and then install Windows XP SP3, you cannot uninstall
Internet Explorer. To avoid this, ensure Internet Explorer 7 or a beta
version of Internet Explorer 8 is not installed before installing Windows XP
SP3. If you have already encountered this issue, uninstall Windows XP SP3,
uninstall Internet Explorer, and then reinstall Windows XP SP3."

Windows XP Media Center Edition 2002: (From Shenan Stanley MS MVP)
"If you install Windows XP SP3 on a computer running Windows XP Media Center
Edition 2002 with SP1, Windows XP Media Center Edition may malfunction. To
avoid this, install Windows XP SP2 before you install Windows XP SP3. If
this issue has already occurred, uninstall Windows XP SP3, install Windows
XP SP2, and then reinstall Windows XP SP3."

XP SP3: Post Installation Cleanup:
http://www.aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=33827

How to troubleshoot an unsuccessful installation of Windows XP Service Pack
3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950718/en-us

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support
(Via Email, Chat or Phone support)
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-us&prid=11273&gprid=522131

Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) Forum:
(Post your issues here)
http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID=2010&SiteID=17

Install SP3 in 'Clean Boot' mode:
How to configure Windows XP to start in a "clean boot" state
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353

Availability of the .NET Framework 1.0 post-Service Pack 3 hotfix
Describes the .NET Framework 1.0 post-Service Pack 3 hotfix rollup package
for the Mscorwks.dll, Mscorsvr.dll, and Mscorlib.dll files.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896061/en-us

JS
www.pagestart.com
 
Dear JS,

The SP 3 is a huge d/l is says its 316MB. That takes most of the night for
me to d/l. It shouldn't be corrupted.

I don't have a fast connnction speed its called ISDN, better than dial up
but not Broadband or cable or wireless.

I burnt a CD of it as I was asked to do and well it just sin't Win32
application. SO what does that actually mean. What will reading the notes
tell me?

Can you fill me in on this cos I dont really want to have to d/l it again.

I might as well forget about SP3 if it's got problems.

Than ks

Meredith
 
Does the file name have the intention (last three letters) of .exe or .iso
If it's .iso then you have the .iso file and you need CD burning software
that will use the .iso image file you downloaded and create an executable on
the CD.

If the file name ends in .exe there is no need to copy it to a CD before
installing SP3, just double click on the file to start the install process.

For reference the exact size of the file is 331,805,736 bytes.
(WindowsXP-KB936929-SP3-x86-ENU.exe)

JS
 
Hey JS,

When I check the properties of the file I downloaded it says its a self
extracting Cab file.

When I double click on it to install it, it shows that it is indeed and exe
file. And it won't start because it is not a valid Win 32 application.

I don't know why that is the case.

Thanks

Meredith
 
Also if you're trying to install SP3 from a CD-R or CD-RW
it's possible the CD drive is defective or the drivers may need updating.

I presume you have tried installing SP3 from the download file located on
your hard drive but I just remembered you mentioned a CD drive earlier.

JS
 
Dear JS,

Thank you for the link to Hash Calc. I have downloaded it this afternoon
Friday.
The results are different to what you said they should be.

Found the SP3 update exe file in my Program files on C drive and scanned it
with Hash Calc.

Here is what the little box shows me. I copied and pasted the details.

MD5 2a6f0f180f728a95115b7179c349f6aa

SHA1 b715490864610eb550ea94ced3f7ef030aa9cb32

RIPEMD160 ea37df3377d61e94f0002646f5abfd18acdc75da

CRC 32 33877645

So this means as you said that the file I have is either corrupted or
something else is incorrect with it.

I can work without an XP SP3 update I guess for a while longer.

I might as well delete the download from the programs files if it is
useless/wrong.

PS I did burn the disc as well. Cos Creator said too. BUt tried to
load/install it from both the CD and the hard drive.

I still have some issues with start up. So will perservere with them as well.

Thanks for your support and assistance.

Cheers for a great weekend.

Meredith
 
I did reply to you but I dont think it has come thru to you.

I checked the Hash Calc as you suggested and got different letters and
numbers to yours.

So it must be corrupted or a weird file.

I won't try to use the SP3 upgrade. It takes too long to download again at
this stage.

Just as well I am not paying for I/net access by the MB..yet.

Maybe I will get a disk from someone one day.

Thanks for all your help.

I will just have to work on my Outlook issues and hope I can resolve it and
other problems soon and hope for the best.

Cheers for thew weekend

Meredith
 
As long as you downloaded the "English" version of SP3 then the values
should match what I posted.
Since the values (hash) is different it suggest the file is corrupted.

You can always order a SP3 from Microsoft.
I think all you pay is the shipping cost.

How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389

JS
 
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